MCBI could lease space for tech job training

Apr. 23, 2013

Written by

Brian Gadd

Staff Writer

ZANESVILLE — The Muskingum County Business Incubator could have a new tenant helping create information technology jobs as early as May if a lease agreement can be worked out between attorneys.

Carol Humphreys, MCBI executive director, met with county commissioners Monday to provide details of the Connect Ohio Initiatives pilot program, which plans to develop a training center on the second floor of the MCBI in partnership with the Muskingum County Department of Job and Family Services, Ohio Means Jobs, and Mid-East Career and Technology Centers.

Humphreys said the program aims to bring digital literacy to unemployed and underemployed people and will provide the skills necessary for entry-level telework jobs.

For example, companies such as Pizza Hut use teleworkers to take online orders via their website and route those orders to specific Pizza Hut locations.

The Connected Factories or Digital Factories concept is already in use in Tennessee and having success, she said.

Another pilot program is planned for Wellston.

Participants in the program go through a screening and training program for four to six weeks, after which they will be employed in entry-level telework positions. If they have computer and Internet capability at home, they can work at home, or they can use the MCBIís computer lab, Humphreys said.

She said the program dovetails with the MCBIís goal of creating jobs and could benefit the MCBI by encouraging enrollees to develop businesses of their own or to seek work with other MCBI clients.

Connect Ohio Initiatives will lease 1,488 square feet at $1,500 per month for two years, beginning May 1, for its computer training center.

The space will come rent-free for three months while renovations, including new flooring, ceiling tiles and the installation of restrooms on the second floor, are being conducted, Humphreys said. If a grant of $16,000 toward the renovations is obtained through the Governorís Office of Appalachia, the remaining rent this year also will be credited.

If the grant does not come through, Connect Ohio will begin making rent payments in August.

While the renovations are occurring, Connect Ohio will use an existing computer lab on the first floor of the facility on Pinkerton Road.

Commissioner Jim Porter said the lease agreement will be reviewed by Assistant Prosecutor Bud Chess because the county still owns the MCBI building.